Creator’s Castle Nature Camp
Welcome to Creator’s Castle Nature Camp (CCNC), a bilingual outdoor summer camp focused on creativity and nature for children ages 3 to 13. Located on the grounds of the historic Castello di Ristonchi in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Our camp is surrounded by olive groves and forests where children enjoy sunny days immersed in nature and fresh air. Your child will learn how to grow, pick and prepare their own food straight from the garden, cool off in the natural spring water pool, and connect with nature through fun adventures and hands-on workshops run in English and Italian for even more learning opportunities! Here kids can be kids and are encouraged to be themselves and discover their surroundings one sprouting seed or wiggling worm at a time. Each day is focused on learning while exploring the outdoors. The stunning setting, spotlight on nature, and our experienced staff of native English and Italian speakers curate daily activities with your child in mind.
Daily Schedule
8:30am-9:30am: Drop off, free play
9:30am-10am: Official welcome circle and games
10am-12:30pm: Morning adventure or pool time (snack at 10:30)
12.30-1:30pm: Lunch (children help prep their own food)
1:30pm-4pm: Afternoon adventure or pool time (snack at 2:30pm)
4:00-5pm: Field Games and Pick Up
Castle Info
Castello di Ristonchi is a 1,000 year old castle that sits high in the hills above Florence surrounded by 100 acres of organic farmland (olive groves, gardens, beehives, fields and forests). With a maximum of 5-to-1 ratio of campers to counselors, our qualified staff is dedicated to the safety and happiness of your children. At CCNC, counselors know campers’ names, younger campers interact regularly with older campers always under supervision, and all members of the camp community respect one another and their surroundings. All children are valued for their unique abilities and included as essential members of our community.
Food
Providing our campers with great food is an important part of our day! In addition to being a time to relax with friends, meals at Creator’s Castle Nature Camp ensure that campers have the nutrition they need to keep their energy levels and immunity systems going strong.
Much of the food served is grown onsite from our garden kitchen overflowing with herbs and vegetables and lovingly harvested with curiosity by our campers themselves and cooked with our own organic olive oil.
All campers eat together with their counselors on our shady terrace overlooking the hills. Our Food Service Director makes necessary accommodations for food allergies and dietary requirements and helps each child consume a balanced meal that fits their needs. Lunches include items like sandwich platters, as well as pasta from scratch the children learn to make themselves and everyone’s favorite - PIZZA FRIDAY! where each child makes their own pizza exactly as they like it with fresh ingredients and cooks it themselves in the castle’s stone oven. Mid-morning and afternoon snacks are also served….we know campers use up a lot of energy having fun outside all day!
If your child has any dietary restrictions, we encourage you to contact us to discuss their needs.
Pool
A large fresh springwater pool is onsite at Creator’s Castle Nature Camp. The pool is fully gated and locked when not in use. There is a lifeguard on duty during pool time and counselors are always in the pool with the children.
Swimming vests and armbands are welcome if your child feels more comfortable in these, however we do not solely rely on them.
At CCNC we have a pool buddy system in place. Each child gets paired with another child at swimming time. Intermittently the lifeguard will blow their whistle and the children must stop swimming. Then each pair will take each other’s hands and raise it so that the counselors and lifeguards can see.
Eco Friendly
Castello di Ristonchi provides our community with the highest quality, most nourishing foods and related products available while conducting our business in socially responsible ways that are both sustainable and rewarding for our customers, our employees and our environment. We are committed to reducing food waste, growing our own produce, recycling and composting. No paper or plastic products are used at CCNC.
Parent and Guardian Perks
COWORKING SPACE
For those caregivers who don’t want to make the drive back and forth for drop-off and pick-up, take advantage of our beautiful co-working space at Castello di Ristonchi! Set in the center of our ancient tower, this large room is cool and quiet during the summer. There are also many gorgeous spots outside with WiFi as well as a caregivers quiet hour at the pool from 12:30-1:30 pm each afternoon.
30€ per week or 10€ per day. Includes: WiFi, indoor and outdoor working spaces, pool access, bathrooms, fresh water station and a community of like-minded parents.
Add lunch: 10€ per day
FUN FRIDAYS!
Fridays at pick up time guardians are invited to an outdoor aperitivo from 4:30-6pm. Let your child show you what they’ve been up to all week and meet their new friends and counselors! Take some time to see the projects they’ve been working on and taste a treat they’ve prepared for you all while mingling with a community of like-minded parents and guardians.
Aperitivo drink and snacks for up to 2 adults is included in your child’s weekly camp admission.
ACCOMMODATION
Families also have the option of renting accommodation onsite weekly. For those traveling and those who want to feel like they are traveling.
Email book@ristonchi.com with your dates and needs and we will send you a proposal.